Mikindani is a beautiful Swahili town with a unique history on the Indian Ocean but there’s even more to it than first meets the eye. Here are 10 reasons to visit Mikindani, book your holiday now!
- Stay in a National Monument
The Old Boma Hotel was originally a German fort built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It has been beautifully and sensitively restored into a comfortable hotel with up to date facilities, whilst retaining many original features and charm. The Old Boma is located on the side of a hill overlooking the Indian Ocean, providing breathtaking views from dawn to dusk. Rough Guide to Tanzania describes it as “Southern Tanzania’s Best Hotel”. - The Magic of Mikindani
The natural photogenic beauty of the local scenery and its people is even documented in a book called ‘The Magic of Mikindani‘ which is available to purchase at The Old Boma Hotel. Spend a few days in Mikindani and you’ll have a wonderful collection of your own photos that you can share with friends, family and other travellers. - Indian Ocean
The world’s third largest ocean is famous for sandy beaches and warm turquoise water but Mikindani is also a naturally protected harbour so offers calm waters, perfect for dhow trips, kayaking, snorkelling and for the local fisherman. The ocean plays a big part in the life of locals and a trip to the daily fish market not only offers a view of the pictureque harbour but also gives you an insight into local life. - Support a Charity
The Old Boma is run by the charity Trade Aid. a charitable trust which provides vocational education, training and employment within the local community. The hotel is entirely staffed by locals supported by Tanzanian Managers and European volunteers. Its aim is to create sustainable employment by providing opportunities for work and encouraging enterprise in the local area. You can support the charity by either staying in the hotel, visiting the bar and/or poolside restaurant, making a donation at the hotel or on the charity’s website www.tradeaiduk.org/page/fundraising/donate - Poolside Restaurant
There are a few places to eat in the town but the Poolside Restaurant at The Old Boma hotel reflects the different local and colonial influences found in Mikindani. It’s probably best described as ‘Swahili fusion’, with spices and flavours from East Africa mixed with traditional Western dishes. Rough Guide to Tanzania describe it as “Consistently delicious and inventive cooking” . - Diving
A fully equipped PADI scuba diving centre operates in Mikindani offering diving excursions from a fully fitted GRP dive boat. This stretch of coastline with pristine protected coral boasts some of the finest diving sites in the region and is recognised as the centre of biological diversity for the East African coast. “Fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving” Rough Guide to Tanzania. - Swahili Coastal Town
Mikidani has a fascinating history. It was a home for traders dating back to the 9th century and has seen influences from Arabia, Portugal, Germany and the UK resulting in an exotic mix of multicultural traditions, architecture, language and cuisine. - Afya Spa
This brand new health spa at The Old Boma Hotel offers a range of treatments in a tranquil and calm environment to help you relax and unwind. Whether you require a vigorous massage or simply desire some well earned top-to-toe pampering, trained therapists will ensure you leave Afya Spa feeling considerably better than when you arrived.
- Follow in Livingstone’s footsteps
Mikindani is famously the stopping point for Dr David Livingstone, the pioneering medical missionary and explorer, before his final journey into central Africa. Livingstone House has been recently renovated by the charity Trade Aid and there are plans to have a museum and tourist office here in the future. - Relax
Let’s not forget, Mikindani is the perfect place to put your feet up, have a cold drink and experience a quieter, slower pace of life in idyllic surroundings.